The annual Keiki Day fundraising event by Parents and Children Together (PACT) broke a newspaper sales record this year.
More than 1,500 volunteers came out in support of the local nonprofit family agency, and an all-time record of 56,840 copies were sold, generating more than $75,000 in sales and donations for its 28th annual Keiki Day sponsored by Oahu Publications Inc. Volunteers manned street corners statewide to sell special “Keiki Day” editions of Oahu Publications newspapers — the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Oahu and Maui, The Hawaii Tribune Herald and West Hawaii Today on Hawaii island, and The Garden Island on Kauai.
“We very much appreciate all those who contributed to the overwhelming success of this year’s Keiki Day,” said Dennis Francis, president of OPI and publisher of the Star-Advertiser. “Volunteers from across the state and those who helped by buying a paper can feel good about helping to improve the lives of Hawaii’s children and their families.”
PACT’s mission is to support and promote a healthy and positive lifestyle for children and their families through statewide social services and educational programs. All funds from the Keiki Day event go to the agency.
“It’s not just a fundraiser; it’s also an awareness raiser,” said Norma Spierings, chief development officer of PACT. “For us, that’s an important part, and being able to have more papers sold, more papers out there, more people that know about Parents and Children Together and the services we offer is all for the better.”
As part of the event, PACT held a Kid’s Creativity contest for children in first through 12th grade on Oahu, Kauai and Hawaii island. Children were asked to share their artwork and creative writing on a specific topic. Submissions were published in special-edition Star-Advertiser newspapers across the state.
Local athletic coaches, TV personalities and business leaders volunteered their time to sell the special editions for $1 each.
“I have fun selling newspapers downtown on Keiki Day because the drivers and pedestrians who donate usually have a positive attitude and a smile, even though they’re on their way to work,” Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said in a statement. “We get to talk story for one stoplight, and it adds to the fun knowing that the purchases go toward a good cause.”
Kanani Silva, community engagement administrator and event specialist for Bank of Hawaii, said her company continues to participate to help spread awareness of the importance of children and family relationships.
“It’s always been a pleasure to work with PACT,” Silva said. “Their staff and their volunteers are really committed to their mission, and so they make it easy and fun to be involved with them; and our employees recognize the good work that they do throughout the state, and so they come out in full support of their efforts.”
